Did Chip Kelly Do Something Unconventional Today?

This is basically the inverse to what I just wrote. Mike Freeman of CBS Sports on why Chip Kelly is wading through dangerous waters (that’s a phrase I’ve always wanted to write– wading, who wades these days?!):

But there is a danger here. Kelly had better be careful because coaches better than him have tried this, and coaches better than him have failed.

Kelly is putting himself inside a tight box. If he doesn’t win quickly, the doubts will arrive fast, coming from inside the locker room that won’t forget how he demoted players in OTAs.

The NFL is littered with the burned-out carcasses of the motivators and the game-changers and the new minds. Steve Spurrier left the Florida Gators for Washington and is now a cautionary tale. Nick Saban is quite possibly the best defensive mind that college football has ever seen, and he couldn’t make it in Miami. Bobby Petrino was so humiliated in Atlanta after leaving Lousiville for the Falcons job, he informed Falcons players he was quitting via a four-sentence note left in their lockers.

Maybe we’re all just so enamored with a coach who does things differently that we’re a bit blinded by the dangers of such a thing. What if this all backfires? What if the players hate Kelly and turn on him the way they turned on the media and fans the last few years? This can be kind of a vicious group. What if Kelly’s system is so ridiculous and becomes such an epic failure that it’s spoken about in lore twenty years from now by guys who speak in war metaphors and eat glass for breakfast? It could happen. I don’t think it will… but it could. Let’s just tuck that away in the back of our minds.

look, i agree that her grill use a shaving down. also, the fact she brushes her teeth with a bottle of whiteout only draws more attention to those chompers. im just saying i am not kicking her out of bed for eating crackers (or hay.)

It seems that pro football, unlike any of the other sports, always attracts the mad scientists and unconventional thinkers from the college ranks who long to recreate the wheel and turn the NFL on its ear. But, more often than not, these geniuses end up falling flat on their faces before slinking out of town with their tails between their legs. Will Chip be the latest example? Who knows, but early on, you have to think that old school football minds look at what he’s doing (customized smoothies, rock and roll music during practice, etc.) and laugh their asses off because it’s borderline ridiculous. Rueben Frank said it best on Philly Sports Talk yesterday, you win with players, not gimmicks, and so far, Chip has been just one huge gimmick. He’s already irked Desean Jackson and Mike Vick, two of the more easily irkable players on this roster, how long before more players follow suit? Chip may think he’s got time to rebuild this team from the crash landing of the Andy Reid era, but if he doesn’t win right away, his shelf life in this town won’t be all that long.

flash, interesting points you make. to me, if you truly desire success, adaption is an absolute necessity. its the golden rule of all business, including professional sports. however, i think there is a fine line between adaption and completely rocking the boat. just because something worked in the NCAA does not necessarily mean it will work in the NFL. that is because the NFL such a different breed. for the most part, they are grown men with inflated egos and stubborn minds and that is due in part to their lifelong success, which means they are not as open to change as the kids of the NCAA. simply put, i see the chip kelly experience either being a complete and utter disaster (a 16-32 record in 3 seasons) or an amazing success (a super bowl win within 3 years.) i dont believe there will be a middle ground here with a so-so performance.

If that’s the case, the punishment for Kelly will be a cushy job back in the NCAA. he has nothing to lose and everything to gain so he’s acting in accord. the fans and the Eagles? different story. Here’s the scary part, Let’s hope Howie and Jeffrey did their homework and made a solid decision.

I have a bet with my buddy that Chip will be the Head Coach at USC before the 2015 college season starts. How did that not raise any red flags that he turned down the offer at first, then Oregon is targeted for NCAA investigations, and then he changes his mind the day after sitting in some High School Kid’s living room trying to recruit him? And how ironic that he decides to leave Oregon and they get hammered by the NCAA. If that doesn’t prove the dude is flaky i don’t know what does.

i think most people saw it, but were so excited to see andy roll out of town, they merely turned a blind eye to it. the sad truth is there is hardly any loyalty and integrity in NCAA football anymore. the modus operandi seems to be cheat until you get caught and when you get caught, just jump ship and let everyone else go down with it.

Chip wasn’t being flaky, rather, he was slicker than 10W40. Informed is right, Stevie Wonder could see what Kelly did, everyone saw what happened, but we were so happy to have ANYONE replace Andy Reid, we just didn’t care that Chip had escaped from a ship he ran aground. But yeah, if Chip crashes and burns, he won’t be unemployed for long as schools will line up a dozen deep outside his door to snatch him up.

on behalf of the CBM (crossing broad mob) and not be confused with the CMB (cash money brothers) why dont you you and the rest of the kyle hatin complainers take your pissing and moaning over to the 700 level and/or deadspin and just stay there. we get it, already! you all hate kyle and everything about him. ok, i dont agree with everyone of his opinions or every focus of his pieces. as a matter of fact, i passionately disapprove of his fondness for a certain seabiscuit-looking member of the local radio media. however, they do not preclude from reading his materials. i dont understand the logic of yourself and others who come here everyday to read his material only to then piss and moan about his motives or opinions. if this site is such a toilet, then take your shit elsewhere!

Looks like the Phils draft pick is a few years away since he’s only a high school player, but it was funny that he said he hopes to learn from Jimmy Rollins and then take his place. Haha nice going kid.